Electronic watch with meter function and display means

ABSTRACT

An electronic watch with a meter function, capable of a multifunctional display, wherein the dial of the watch is divided into a data display region and a mode display region and the area for displaying the mode, and the area for displaying functional quantities are increased to make the graduations easier to read, with one hand indicating a data display region for data corresponding to physical quantities, and one hand indicating the mode region.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic watch with a meterfunction, capable of a multifunctional display.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In recent years the development of multifunctional models of electronicwatches has progressed, centered around digital models. There are, forexample, as shown in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No.1-126590, watches which are provided with a water depth measurementfunction and which digitally display various types of data. There hasalso been a rapid advance in multifunctional development for watcheswhich use hands for display, and hand-display-equipped watches withmultiple functions equal to those of digital watch have beencommercialized. However, the multiple functions of hand-display-equippedwatches have few degrees of freedom for display in comparison with thedigital display device as above mentioned because the display means arehands. For this reason, the various restrictions in display presentproblems. For example, one problem is a means which specifically pointsout the current functional mode.

FIG. 1 is a display section of a multifunctional watch with hands fordisplay illustrating a first conventional example disclosed in JapaneseUnexamined Patent Publication No. 59-56185. The reference numeral 1designates an hour hand, the reference numeral 2, a minute hand, and thereference numeral 3, a second hand, displaying normal time. Thereference numeral 4 is a section in which both a functional quantity anda mode are displayed by means of an accessory hand 4 a. In this examplethere are two functions—dual time and a timer. The display of therespective functional quantities is provided in identical left and rightdisplay sections with engraved graduations. The mode and the functionalquantity are displayed simultaneously by the accessory hand 4 a.

FIG. 2 is a display portion of a multifunctional watch with hands fordisplay illustrating a second conventional example as published in TheHorological International Correspondence, December 1990, Vol. 31, No.368, page 319. The reference numeral 5 designates an hour hand, thereference numeral 6, a minute hand, and the reference numeral 7, asecond hand, displaying normal time. The reference numeral 8 designatesa mode display section in which a mode is displayed by means of anaccessory hand 8 a, and is made up of a normal display mode, a dual timemode, a timer mode, and an alarm mode. The timer mode shown in FIG. 2indicates the current time. The reference numeral 9 designates afunction display hand for displaying the functional quantity for eachfunction selected by the mode display section 8.

The display area for the functional quantities in the first conventionalexample is small because a plurality of functional quantities isdisplayed within one display section. This causes a problem inasmuch asthe graduations are difficult to read. Because the display area becomessmaller as the number of functions increases the graduations become moreand more difficult to read.

In the second conventional example, the mode is indicated by a dedicatedaccessory hand to eliminate the problems found in the first conventionalexample. The functional quantities are indicated by one dedicateddisplay hand provided in the center of the watch. With this method, themode is easily distinguished because the mode is indicated by thededicated accessory hand, and because the same function indicating handis also used to indicate the function status, the area of the displaysection is large and the graduations are easy to read. However, adedicated mode-indicating accessory hand must be provided, therefore adedicated gear train is required and the module space is restricted. Inaddition, the hand spacing is increased to use the accessory hand, andthis results in design restrictions.

Some types of electronic watches equipped with a metering function arecapable of providing a water depth indicating function. However, inengraving the graduations the meter in the water depth measurement mode,a method is used in which the time graduations of the watch are alsoused to indicate water depth, and another method is used in whichgraduations are provided on the circumference separate from the timegraduations. However,in the conventional method by which theabove-mentioned time graduations do double duty, a total of 60 m ofuniform graduations is used for 60 divisions of graduationscorresponding to the time portion, at one graduation for 1 m.

The method by which one revolution contains 60 divisions of uniformgraduations conforming to the graduations of the watch portion isextremely easy to read because this is the method used in a normal,familiar type of watch. However, in this method, when the resolution ofone graduation is small, such as for example one meter, the displayrange only extends to 60 meters. In addition, in the case where onegraduation is made equivalent to 5 m to expand the display range, it ispossible to increase the display range to 300 m, but this has thedrawback that the reading precision is poor. Also, in the method wherethe time graduations are independent and not dual purpose, there is aproduction problem in providing new graduations on the face plate. Inaddition, deciding what graduations are to be used for what purpose alsopresents a problem because there is a plurality of graduations, andthese graduations are difficult to read.

Further, the measured values for water depth and the like in a handdisplay device, are normally displayed each time a measurement is made,and the maximum value is not displayed simultaneously when themeasurements are taken. When it is desired to know the maximum value,during measurement the maximum value is first recorded, and when themeasurement has been completed this maximum value is usually retrieved.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A first object of the present invention is, with due consideration tothe drawbacks of such conventional watches, to provide an electronicwatch with a meter function wherein the display areas for mode and forfunctional quantities are large, the graduations are easy to read, and asmall watch with a thin shape is possible.

A second object of the present invention is to provide an electronicwatch with a meter function with an expanded display range whilemaintaining the resolution of the time graduation double duty method.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a device with ahand display which can provide a diver with a sense of security bysimultaneously displaying the diving depth and maximum diving depthvalues.

The first object of the present invention is achieved by the provisionof an electronic watch with a meter function comprising a data signalgenerating means for generating physical quantity data signals, a modesignal generating means for generating mode signals, a watch face and anannular display region surrounding the watch face, the watch face havinga plurality of hands. The annular display region includes an arcuatedata display region for displaying data other than time and an arcuatemode display region, wherein the arcuate data display region and thearcuate mode display region do not overlap. Also, one of the handsindicates a value in the arcuate data display region in response to adata signal from the data signal generating means, and one of the handsindicates a mode in the arcuate mode display region in response to amode signal from the mode signal generating means.

The second object of the present invention is achieved by the provisionof a watch face as a dial for an electronic watch with hands wherein thetime graduations and a meter are in a one-to-one correspondence in afixed angle range from a standard position for the graduations on thedial, and, in the dial range in which the fixed angle is exceeded, themeter graduations for the time graduations correspond to double thatamount.

The third object of the present invention is achieved by the provisionof a device with a hand display comprising a signal detection means; asignal processing means for converting a signal output from the signaldetection means to a digitalized detection signal; a first motor drivecircuit for creating a motor drive signal from an output signal from thesignal processing means; a first motor which is driven by the firstmotor drive circuit; and a detected signal indicating hand driven by thefirst motor; and further comprising a maximum value memory means; asecond motor drive circuit for creating a motor drive signal accordingto a value recorded in the maximum value memory means; a second motorwhich is driven by the second motor drive circuit; a maximum valueindicator hand which is driven by the second motor; a comparison meansfor comparing the detection signal and the value stored in the maximumvalue memory means; and a maximum value rewrite means for rewriting thedetection signal into the maximum value memory means in accordance witha compared signal from the comparison means; whereby the maximum valueindicator indicator hand indicates the maximum value from among thedetected signals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a display section of a conventionalmultifunctional watch with hands for display.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a display section of aconventional multifunctional watch with hands for display.

FIG. 3 is a view of the external appearance of a watch with hands fordisplay provided with a water depth measurement function, as a firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the mode display section of the watchshown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is one part of a flowchart for the operation of the modes of thefirst embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view of the external appearance of a watch with hands fordisplay provided with a water depth measurement function, as a secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the water depth measurement mode of the secondembodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a view of the external appearance of a watch with hands fordisplay provided with a water depth measurement function, as a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view of the external appearance of a modification of thethird embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 10.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

FIG. 3 is a view of the external appearance of a watch with hands fordisplay provided with a water depth measurement function, as a firstembodiment of the present invention. The reference numeral 10 designatesa watch case, and the reference numeral 11 designates a register ringwith minute display graduations engraved on the ring. The referencenumeral 12 designates a watch face with minute display graduationsengraved on an annular section 12 a of the watch face 12. A luminousmark 18 is attached to every fifth position on the inside of the displaygraduations, so that the time and depth displays are easily read by thediver while diving. The display graduations are used in combination withthe water depth graduations. In the display units for water depth, onegraduation division is one meter, and the water depth is displayed in adisplay region from the 12 o'clock position (0 m graduation position) upto the 55th graduation position (55 m graduation position). Furthermore,a TK mark 12 b showing the time mode, an AL mark 12 c showing a depthalarm setting mode, and an “OV’ mark 12 d showing an exceeded depthmeasurement are engraved on the annular section 12 a, between the 12o'clock position and the 55 minute graduation position, as shown by theenlargement in FIG. 4. The 12 o'clock position also serves as a markshowing a water depth measurement mode.

The display 12 a surrounding the watch face 12 is an arcuate datadisplay region for a water depth meter from the 12 o'clock position (0 mdisplay position) to the 55 minute graduation position (55 m graduationposition), and is an arcuate mode display region from the 55 minutegraduation position to the 12 o'clock position. Specifically, viewedfrom the 12 o'clock position in the clockwise direction, the forwardregion is the data display region and the rear region is the modedisplay region. Together, the arcuate data display region and thearcuate mode display region form an annular display region surroundingthe watch face 12.

In the center section of the watch face 12, time display hands, made upof an hour hand 13, a minute hand 14, and a second hand 15; a depth hand16; and a maximum depth hand 17 in combined use as a mode display handare provided. The hour hand 13, the minute hand 14, and the second hand15, are formed to be driven by a different motor from the depth hand 16and the maximum depth hand 17. The reference numerals 20, 21, and 22designate push buttons, and the reference numeral 23 designates a crown.These are all formed as external operating members for correction and/orchange of displayed data. The reference numeral 30 designates a waterpressure sensor for detecting depth.

The pushbutton 20 is provided for switching a mode into the time mode,the depth alarm setting mode, and the depth measurement mode. Operatingthe pushbutton 20 for a short time (less than two seconds) switches themaximum depth hand 17 to the TK position which indicates the time mode,and to the AL position which indicates the depth alarm setting mode.Continuously depressing the pushbutton 20 for a fixed time switches themaximum depth hand 17 to the 0 m graduation position which indicates thedepth measurement mode. When the maximum depth hand 17 indicates theposition of the “TK” mark 12 b, the depth hand 16 stands by on the 0 mgraduation position and indicates that this is the time mode.

In the time mode state selected by the operation of the pushbutton 20, amaximum depth memo is called up when the pushbutton 22 is operated, anda sound monitor for a depth alarm and a rate of ascent alarm is heardwhen the pushbutton 21 is operated.

When the depth alarm setting mode is selected by operating thepushbutton 20 and the maximum depth hand 17 is moved to the “AL” mark 12c position, the depth hand 16 moves to the set depth if the depth alarmhas already been set. If the depth alarm has not yet been set the depthhand 16 stands by at the 0 m graduation position.

It is possible to set the value for the depth setting alarm both forwardand in reverse in 1 m units by operating the push buttons 21, 22 in thealarm setting mode. Setting this alarm causes the depth alarm to besounded if the depth value exceeds the value to which the depth alarmsetting value is set when the diver dives with the watch in the depthmeasurement mode. In the depth measuring mode, the rate of ascent alarmis used to communicate the occurrence of a sudden ascent (for example,in excess of 4 m per sec) which can cause an adverse effect on the body.

Next, when the water depth measurement mode is selected by continuouslydepressing the pushbutton 20 for a fixed time (two seconds or greater inthis embodiment), the maximum depth hand 17 moves to the 0 m graduationposition, and, at the same time, water depth can be measured with thedepth hand 16 standing by at the 0 m graduation position. In this state,when the diver dives so that depth measurement is commenced, the depthhand 16 and the maximum depth hand 17 move to indicate the depth value.The depth hand 16 indicates the current depth during diving and themaximum depth hand 17 ordinarily indicates the maximum depth positionduring the dive (same action as a maximum point keeping hand). Then, thedepth alarm is sounded if the measured depth value exceeds the depthalarm set value.

Furthermore, when a dive occurs to a depth which is greater than themaximum 55 m of the indication range of the depth measurement, the depthhand 16 and the maximum depth hand 17 are quickly activated, both handsmove immediately to the position of the “OV” mark 12 d which indicatesan excessive depth measurement, and the depth alarm is sounded. Inaddition, when the diver has ascended to the depth measurement displayregion, the depth hand 16 indicates the current depth and the maximumdepth hand 17 continues to indicate the position of the “OV” mark 12 d.

The crown 23 mechanically performs revision of a calendar when pulledout to a first stage and revision of the time when pulled out to asecond stage, but is normally pushed in to the 0 stage.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the basic structure of a watch 1 withhands for display provided with a water depth measurement function ofwhich the external appearance is shown in FIG. 3.

The reference numeral 30 designates a water pressure sensor made up of adiaphragm-type semiconductor, which outputs an electric sensor signalcorresponding to changes in water pressure. The reference numeral 31designates a water pressure measurement circuit comprising acommonly-known amplifier circuit 31 a, an A/D conversion circuit 31 b, asensor drive circuit 31 c, a power circuit 31 d, and a control circuit31 e. The reference numeral 32 designates a microcomputer sectionbasically comprising a CPU 32 a, a RAM 32 b, and a ROM 32 c. A programfor controlling the CPU 32 a is stored in the ROM 32 c. The CPU 32 ainputs water depth data Ps from the water pressure measurement circuit31 and data from a later-described switch block 33, and outputsoperating signals to a plurality of motors 34, 35, 36 based on this dataafter the necessary processing, according to the program. The referencenumeral 37 designates a quartz oscillator for generating a clock signal.The switch block 33 is a switching group operated through the pushbuttons 20, 21, 22 and the crown 23 shown in FIG. 3.

The motor 34 drives a time display device to which the hour hand 13, theminute hand 14, and the second hand 15 are linked. The motor 35 drivesthe depth hand 16, and the motor 36 drives the maximum depth hand 17.The reference numeral 39 designates a buzzer for sounding an alarm.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned watch with hands for displayprovided with a water depth measurement function will be explained withreference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

First, the mode which has been selected by the diver is determined byreference to the depressed condition of the pushbutton 20 (mode selectorMS) (F-1). After determination, the maximum depth hand 17 indicates the“TK” mark 12 b showing the time mode (F-2), and the depth hand 16indicates the 0 m graduation position (F-3) when in the time mode(MS=0). Then, time display processing (F-4) is performed, and the timeis displayed by the hour hand 13, the minute hand 14, and the secondhand 15. During this period a judgement is made (F-5) as to whether ornot the pushbutton 20 has once again been depressed by the diver (Is themode select switch MS-SW being operated from the pushbutton 20 in the ONstate?). If the pushbutton 20 has not been depressed again, the timeprocessing is repeated by returning to step (F-4), and the time isdisplayed continuously. Also, during the operation, a judgement is madeas to whether the operating time is 2 seconds or greater, or not (F-6).Then, if 2 seconds or greater, the depth measurement mode (MS=2) is set(F-7), and the program returns to step (F-1); if less than 2 seconds,the depth alarm setting mode (MS=1) is set (F-8) and the program returnsto step (F-1). Specifically, if the operation of the pushbutton 20 isless than 2 seconds, the program proceeds to the depth alarm settingmode, and if the pushbutton 20 is depressed for 2 seconds or greatercontinuously, the program proceeds to the depth measurement mode.

Next, when the depth alarm setting mode (MS=1) is set in (F-8), shown inFIG. 6, by the diver operating the pushbutton 20, the program proceedsto (MS=1) in step (F-1), and the maximum depth hand 17 indicates the“AL” mark 12 c (F-9). At this time the depth hand 16 moves to the 0 mgraduation or to the alarm depth graduation previously set (F-10). Here,the pushbuttons 21, 22 are operated and the alarm depth is newly set inone meter units (F-11).

Following this, whether or not the pushbutton 20 is being depressed isdistinguished/judged (F-12), and if not being depressed the programreturns to step (F-10) and the depth alarm setting operation continues.In addition, if being depressed, whether or not this action continuesfor 2 seconds or greater is distinguished/judged (F-13). Then, when thepushbutton 20 is depressed for 2 seconds or greater, the depthmeasurement mode (MS=2) is set (F-14), and the program returns to step(F-1); if less than 2 seconds, the time mode (MS=0) is set (F-15) andthe program returns to step (F-1).

Next, when the depth setting mode (MS=2) is selected at step (F-7) orstep (F-14) shown in FIG. 6, by the diver operating the pushbutton 20,the program proceeds to (MS=2) in step (F-1), and as shown in FIG. 7,the power voltage is applied to the water pressure sensor 30 and thewater pressure measurement circuit 31, and the depth measurement mode isset (F-16), the maximum depth hand 17 moves to the 0 m graduationposition (F-17), and the depth hand 16 also moves to the 0 m graduationposition (F-18). The fact that both the depth hands 16, 17 point to the0 m graduation position in this manner informs the diver that the depthmeasurement mode is set. When the diver starts his dive, the sensorsignal from the water pressure sensor 30 is received by the water depthmeasurement circuit 31, and after being amplified by the amplifiercircuit 31 a, is subjected to an A/D conversion in the A/D conversioncircuit 31 b, and fed to the microcomputer section 32. In themicrocomputer section 32, a water depth value is computed by means of aprescribed operational expression (F-19) in accordance with the programstored the ROM 32 c. Then, a judgement is made as to whether or not thecomputed water depth value is 1 meter or greater (F-20). If less than 1m, a judgement is once again made as to whether the pushbutton 20 is ONor OFF (F-21). If the pushbutton 20 is not ON, the program returns tostep (F-19) and the water depth measurement continues, but if thepushbutton 20 is ON, a judgment is made as to whether or not theoperating time was 2 sec or greater (F-22). If less than 2 sec, theprogram returns to step (F-19) and the water depth measurementcontinues. If the operating time was 2 sec or greater, if diver appearsto be completing the dive, the time mode (MS=0) is set (F-23) and theprogram returns to step (F-1) (see FIG. 6).

In the step (F-20), when a decision is made that the water depth is 1 mor greater, a determination is made as to whether or not the water depthhas reached the value for the depth set in the depth alarm setting mode(F-24). If this set water depth value has not yet been reached ajudgment is made immediately, or, if the set water depth value has beenreached and the buzzer 39 is activated, a judgment is made after thedepth alarm has sounded (F-25), as to whether or not the water depthvalue has exceeded the 55 m measurement range (F-26).

Then, if the result of the decision is that the measurement range of 55m has been reached or exceeded, the depth hand 16 and the maximum depthhand 17 quickly move to the position of the “OV” mark 12 d which showsthe measurement range has been exceeded, thus indicating an overrun(F-27), after which the program returns to step (F-19) and the depthmeasurement continues. Then, while the diver continues the dive at 55 mor greater, the operations of steps (F-20), (F-24), (F-26), and (F-27)are carried out from step (F-19).

Next, at step (F-26), in the case where the result of the decision isthat the measurement range is less than 55 m, that value is indicated asthe depth (F-28) by the depth hand 16, and a decision is made (F-29) asto whether or not ‘over’ has been indicated at step (F-27). Then, in thecase where the result of the decision is that ‘over’ has not yet beenindicated, a new maximum depth is indicated (F-30), after which theprogram returns to step (F-19) and the depth measurement continues.However, in the case where the result of the decision is that ‘over’ hasalready been indicated, the program returns to step (F-19) without a newmaximum depth being indicated and the depth measurement continues.Specifically, in the case where the diver has once dived beyond themeasurement range of 55 m, even if the diver then returns to within the55 m measurement range, the depth hand 16 returns to the actual depthvalue display, but the maximum depth hand 17 does not indicate a newmaximum depth and remains fixed at the “OV” mark 12 d because themaximum depth has exceeded 55 m. It is then recorded that 55 m has beenexceeded.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a watch with hands for display provided with awater depth measurement function, as a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

The differences in external appearance between this embodiment and thefirst embodiment shown in FIG. 3 are in the method of indicating thedepth graduations of the watch face 12. Specifically, one minute unitsare engraved on the circumference of the watch 12 up to the 30 minposition, and double graduations are used from the 30 min position up tothe 55 min position. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 thedisplay method is such that the units of the depth indicator display are1 m for each one minute graduation from 0 m to 30 m, and 2 m for eachone minute graduation from 30 m to 80 m. Furthermore, small graduationsare provided between one minute graduations from 30 m to 80 m. Inaddition, a plurality of values is embossed at the minute displaygraduation positions corresponding to the 3 m, 6 m, 9 m positions andthe like, so that the depth indicator is easily read.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation in the depth measurementmode of the second embodiment.

First, the pushbutton 20, which is the function mode switching button,is operated, and the depth measurement mode is designated (S-1). Whenthe depth measurement mode is designated, the microcomputer section 32turns the water pressure measurement circuit 31 ON and depth measurementis started (S-2). The depth measurement is performed by themicrocomputer section 32 at fixed intervals, the water depth data Ps,which is the sensor signal from the water pressure sensor 30 subjectedto an A/D conversion by the A/D convertor circuit 31 b, is input, thedepth value is computed, a water depth judgement is carried out as towhether the water depth value is greater or less than 30 m (S-3), andwhen greater, the depth hand driving pulse code and a computation ismade of the number of pulses for driving the hand to the position wherea depth value of 30 m or greater is shown (S-4). Also, at step (S-3),when the judgement is made that the depth is less than 30 m, acomputation is made of the depth hand driving pulse code and the numberof pulses for driving the hand to the position where a depth value of 30m or less is shown (S-5), the program advances to the state wherein thedepth hand driving motor is operated (S-6), and the depth hand operatingpulse code and the number of pulses computed at step (S-4) or step (F-5)are output to the motor 35. As a result, the motor 35 is rotated forwardor in reverse according to the depth hand operating pulse code and thenumber of pulses. When the depth is indicated (S-7) one measurementoperation has been completed. The water depth measurement is repeatedaccording to the above method.

FIG. 10 is a view of the external appearance of a watch with hands fordisplay provided with a water depth measurement function, as a thirdembodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment the water depth is indicated in foot units. With theexception of the point that the depth graduations on the watch face 12are shown in foot units, the external appearance of the watch of thethird embodiment is the same as the external appearance of the watchshown in FIG. 3, therefore like reference numerals are used to designateidentical or corresponding parts.

In this embodiment, graduations of 20-foot unit numerical values areaffixed at each five minute position on the peripheral section 12 a ofthe watch face 12 up to 220 feet, and marks corresponding to 10-footunits are affixed as black spots between the graduation numericalvalues. Also, in the indication of the later-described water depth hand16, the hand is operated in one-foot units by a motor. The region fromthe 12 o'clock position (0-foot graduation position) to the 55-minutegraduation position (220-foot graduation position) on the watch face 12becomes a display region for depth indication.

In this embodiment, the processing circuit for a sensor signal and theprocessing for carrying out a foot display are the same as in the firstembodiment shown in FIG. 6, therefore further explanation is omitted.

FIG. 11 illustrates a modification of the third embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIG. 10. The water depth is indicated in bothmeter units and foot units. Therefore, the depth graduations on thewatch face are given in both meter units and foot units.

In this embodiment, a meter-unit display section 40 a, which isgraduated in meters, and a foot-unit display section 40 b, which isgraduated in feet, are both provided on the watch face 40. Twenty-footunit numerical value graduations are affixed at every five-minuteposition on the foot-unit display section 40 b, up to 180 feet(equivalent to about 55 meters).

As illustrated in this embodiment, about 50 to 60 m is required as anormal depth to which a diver descends. When it is taken into accountthat the two types of graduations, meters and feet, are provided,affixed to time graduations of 60 minutes or the like for which thisdepth is engraved on the watch face, indication of up to 55 m ispossible because the meter graduations provide 5 m figures (1 graduation1 m) at every 5-minute unit. In addition, it is possible to recognizedepths for which every 5 m interval is well marked, using luminous marksof 5 min units which are characteristic of a divers watch.

Of course, it is also acceptable to use marks for 5-minute units whichare luminous marks in foot-graduations, but when the same depth as inmeters is allotted to the 5-min unit marks, the figures provided at themark become figures such as 18.0, which fall between integral multiplesof 10, because 5 meters is 18.0 feet, and these figures are difficult toread for a diver using foot-graduations. Accordingly, in thisembodiment, foot figures allotted to marks of 5-min units are selectedas closely approximating 5 meters as possible and are well marked off,at 20 feet (4.0 meters).

As a result, the values for depths in meters and feet corresponding tomarks of 5 minute units are different, but even in the case where bothgraduations are used, the figures at the luminous marks areeasy-to-read.

Further, in the present embodiment it is possible to read two types ofunits simultaneously by the provision of both a meter-indicating depthhand 16 a and a foot-indicating depth hand 16 b as depth hands forindicating the water depth. The two depth hands 16 a, 16 b indicatedifferent positions as shown in FIG. 11, and normally indicate the samewater depth value. As outlined above, the time graduations of the watchdo double duty. When it is desired to present the necessary depth valuesto the diver as two types of graduations—meters and feet—which are easyto read, 5 m and 20 feet are allotted to the marks for 5-minute units,and the display range becomes about 55 meters, and it is desirable tomake the indicating range 110 meters by allotting 10 m and 40 feet. Thefigures for the meter graduations for 5-minute units of time may beinteger multiples of 5, and those for the foot graduations may beinteger multiples of 20. The basic makeup and operation of the depthmeasurement is the same as for the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. Themeter-indicating depth hand 16 a and the foot-indicating depth hand 16 bare respectively activated by different motors.

The configuration of the present embodiment is such that themeter-indicating depth hand 16 a and the foot-indicating depth hand 16 bare activated by motors, but this is not a limitation of thisembodiment. There is a fixed functional relationship between meters andfeet which both indicate distances. Therefore one drive motor can beused by linking the meter-indicating depth hand 16 a and thefoot-indicating depth hand 16 b through a gear train at a fixedreduction ratio, and depths in meter units and foot units can beindicated simultaneously. In this embodiment, the processing circuit andthe processing for a sensor signal for indicating feet and meters arealso handled in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 andFIG. 7, so further explanation is omitted.

As explained in the foregoing, data indication and mode indication aremade extremely simple in the present invention by dividing the face ofan electronic watch with hands for display into a data indicating regionand a mode indicating region and using the normal hands for indication.A dedicated hand for mode indication is therefore unnecessary. Also,viewed from the 12 o'clock position on the watch face in the clockwisedirection, the major portion of the front half is used for data display,and one part of the rear half is used for mode display, therefore a datadisplay region of adequate size can be obtained and an easily-viewedmode display is possible, conforming to the required number of modes.Also, in the present invention it is possible to enlarge the entire datadisplay region by making the data display region a non-linear display.The resolution of the display of the required parts can also beincreased.

In addition, by means of the present invention, the graduations on thewatch face are extremely easy to read through combined usage of the timegraduations and the function graduations. In particular, even in thecase where there is a plurality of units to be read (for example, meterunits and foot units), combined usage of these graduations and the timegraduations provides an effect whereby the graduations are notcomplicated with respect to the number of functions which it is desiredto display.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic watch with a meter functioncomprising: a data signal generating means for generating physicalquantity data signals, a mode signal generating means for generatingmode signals, and a watch face, and an annular display regionsurrounding the watch face, said watch face having a plurality of hands,said annular display region including an arcuate data display region fordisplaying data other than time and an arcuate mode display region,wherein the arcuate data display region and the arcuate mode displayregion do not overlap, with one of said hands indicating a value in thearcuate data display region in response to a data signal from the datasignal generating means, and one of said hands indicating a mode in thearcuate mode display region in response to a mode signal from the modesignal generating means.
 2. The electronic watch with a meter functionas claimed in claim 1 wherein the data display region is displayed on aforward portion of the watch face, viewed in the clockwise directionfrom the 12 o'clock position thereof, and the mode display region isdisplayed on a rear portion of the watch face.
 3. The electronic watchwith a meter function as claimed in claim 1 wherein the annular displayregion has graduations from 0 to 59 minutes and the data display regionis displayed from the 0-minute to the 55 minute-graduations, and themode display region is displayed between the 56-minute and the 0-minutegraduations.
 4. The electronic watch with a meter function as claimed inclaim 1 wherein the data display region has a non-linear scale.
 5. Theelectronic watch with a meter function as claimed in claim 4 furthercomprising: a second annular display region surrounding the watch facefor displaying the time, wherein a plurality of time graduations areprovided in said second annular display region and a plurality of metergraduations are provided in the data display region; the timegraduations and the meter graduations being provided with a one-to-onecorrespondence within a constant angle range from a standard position onthe watch face; and the meter graduations correspond to a multiple ofthe time graduations in a range on the watch face where said constantangle range is exceeded.
 6. The electronic watch with a meter functionas claimed in claim 5 wherein the constant angle range is 180°.
 7. Theelectronic watch with a meter function as claimed in claim 1 wherein themode displayed in the mode display region is related to data forphysical quantities displayed in the data display region.
 8. Theelectronic watch with a meter function as claimed in claim 7 wherein thehand which indicates the data display region and the hand whichindicates the mode display region are the same hand.
 9. The electronicwatch with a meter function as claimed in claim 8 wherein the modedisplayed in the mode display region includes an overflow display modein which the data display hand indicates that full scale has beenexceeded for the data display region.
 10. The electronic watch with ameter function as claimed in claim 1 wherein the data signal generatingmeans comprises a depth data signal generating means for generating adepth data signal and the data display region comprises a water depthmeter having a plurality of water depth graduations.
 11. The electronicwatch with a meter function as claimed in claim 10 wherein the waterdepth graduations in the data display region are meter graduations. 12.The electronic watch with a meter function as claimed in claim 11wherein the water depth graduations are non-linear graduations.
 13. Theelectronic watch with a meter function as claimed in claim 12 furthercomprising: a second annular display region surrounding the watch facefor displaying the time, wherein a plurality of time graduations areprovided in said second display region; the time graduations and themeter graduations being provided with a one-to-one correspondence withina constant angle range from a standard position on the watch face; andwherein the meter graduations correspond to a multiple of the timegraduations in a range on the watch face where said constant angle rangeis exceeded.
 14. The electronic watch with a meter function as claimedin claim 11 further comprising: a second annular display regionsurrounding the watch face for displaying the time, said second annulardisplay region having a plurality of time graduations, and wherein eachone minute time graduation corresponds to one meter in the depthgraduations.
 15. The electronic watch with a meter function as claimedin claim 13 wherein each one minute time graduation corresponds to onemeter in the range from a 0-minute to a 30-minute time graduation, andeach one minute time graduation corresponds to two meters in the rangebeyond a 31 minute time graduation in the water depth graduations. 16.The electronic watch with a meter function as claimed in claim 10wherein the water depth graduations in the data display region are footgraduations.
 17. The electronic watch with a meter function as claimedin claim 16 wherein each graduation corresponds to four feet in thedepth graduations.
 18. The electronic watch with a meter function asclaimed in claim 10 wherein the water depth graduations in the datadisplay region are meter graduations and foot graduations.
 19. Theelectronic watch with a meter function as claimed in claim 18 whereinfive graduations correspond to five meters and also correspond to 20feet in the depth graduations.
 20. The electronic watch with a meterfunction as claimed in claim 19 wherein the meter graduationscorresponding to five graduations are integer multiples of 5, and forthe foot graduations are integer multiples of
 20. 21. The electronicwatch with a meter function as claimed in claim 18 further comprising ameter depth meter corresponding to the meter graduations, and a footdepth meter corresponding to the foot graduations.
 22. In an electronicwatch having a watch face and a first annular scale surrounding thewatch face for displaying the time, the improvement comprising: meansfor measuring an external parameter, means responsive to said measuringmeans for generating a signal indicative of a value of said externalparameter, means for an operator to select an operating mode, a secondannular scale surrounding the watch face, said second annular scaleincluding a first arcuate portion and a second arcuate portion whichdoes not overlap the first arcuate portion, means responsive to saidsignal generating means for displaying said value about the firstarcuate portion of said second annular scale, and means for displayingsaid selected operating mode about the second arcuate portion of saidsecond annular scale.
 23. The electronic watch of claim 22 furthercomprising a first set of hands for displaying the time about said firstannular scale and a second set of hands for displaying the value andoperating mode about said second annular scale.
 24. The electronic watchof claim 23 wherein said first and second portions comprise the entiretyof said second annular scale, and said first portion comprisessubstantially the entirety of said second annular scale.
 25. Theelectronic watch of claim 24 wherein said operating modes includes analarm mode, said electronic watch further comprising an alarm.
 26. Theelectronic watch of claim 25 wherein said external parameter is depth,and said first portion includes water depth graduations.
 27. Theelectronic watch of claim 26 wherein said first portion comprises anarcuate range from 0 to 55 minutes and said second portion comprises asecond arcuate range from 56 to 59 minutes.
 28. The electronic watch ofclaim 27 wherein said water depth graduations include a first range ofgraduations at one scale and a second range of graduations at a secondscale.
 29. The electronic watch of claim 28 wherein each of said rangesare linear with respect to a radial angle, but different with respect toeach other.
 30. The electronic watch of claim 25 wherein said secondportion includes means for displaying a first operating modecorresponding to time display only, a second operating modecorresponding to a depth alarm mode and a third operating modecorresponding to a depth measurement mode.